An English Motet by Tallis

A priest friend of mine noted that today’s first reading in the OF lectionary, 1 Kings (3 Kings in the Vulgate) 8, 22-23 and 27-30, includes the words that form one of Tallis’ English motets. “Hear the voice and prayer of thy servants, that they make before thee this day. That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, ever toward this place, of which thou hast said, ‘My Name shall be there.’ And when thou hearest have mercy on them.” This would make an especially good choice for the feast of the dedication of a church, since these words come from the prayer which Solomon offers at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem.